Gaming machine with electronic tax form filing function

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine including a gaming controller designed or configured to control the outcome of one or more games played on the gaming machine, and an electronic form generation device coupled to the game controller. The form generation device is adapted to generate an electronic form intended for a game user or patron of the gaming machine when the game user receives a payout award which is at least equivalent to a predetermined amount.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to gaming machines such as video slotmachines and video poker machines, and more particularly relates togaming services and apparatus provided with the gaming machines.

[0002] As technology in the gaming industry progresses, the oncetraditional mechanically-driven reel slot machines have been replacedwith electronic counterparts having CRT video displays or the like.These video/electronic gaming advancements enable the operation of morecomplex gambling games which would not otherwise be possible onmechanical-driven gambling machines. For example, in addition to reelslot machines, it is now common to observe stand alone or multipleplatform video electronic games including Keno, Blackjack, Poker, PaiGow, and all the variations thereof, in even the smallest gamingestablishments.

[0003] More recently, networked gaming and multiple game platforms havebeen developed which provide access to multiple electronic games througha single stand alone gaming machine, such as International GameTechnology's (IGT) “Game King Machine”. Typically, a game selection menumay be provided on the video display which offers the patron the choiceof at least two video/electronic games. The gaming patron, thus, mayselect a gambling game of their choice without having to search thegaming establishment for the location of a desired game.

[0004] Not only have the play of the games increased in sophistication,but so have many other aspects of the game such as the methodologies andschemes employed to award a winning gaming patron. Moreover, the averagesize of the awards have increased as well.

[0005] While these increased award amounts are certainly well embracedby the gaming machine player, the number of reported gaming awards tothe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has likewise increased. IRSregulations require that any machine awards of $1,200.00 or more bereported by the casino to the IRS through W-2G illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0006] Currently, when a gaming patron is awarded an amount whichrequires reporting to the IRS, the gaming machine electronically locksand prevents any further operation until a gaming attendant arrives.This allows the attendant to present the W-2G form to the gaming patronso that they may complete the document prior to payment of the award.Subsequently, the gaming machine is reset by the gaming attendant forcontinued operation.

[0007] Not only is this procedure labor intensive but a substantialamount of time is expended waiting for the attendant to arrive as wellas the time required to complete the W-2G form. Both the gaming operatorand the gaming patron, thus, waste valuable gaming time which could bebetter applied toward gaming.

[0008] In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide a gamingapparatus and service method which offered electronic form presentationand completion to a gaming patron when such forms are required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a gaming machine including agaming controller designed or configured to control the outcome of oneor more games played on the gaming machine, and an electronic formgeneration device coupled to the game controller. The form generationdevice is adapted to generate an electronic form intended for a gameuser of the gaming machine when the game user receives a payout awardwhich is at least equivalent to a predetermined amount.

[0010] Accordingly, when form completion is required prior to payout ofthe awarded winnings, the form is automatically presented and submittedto the patron. This saves time and effort for both the gaming patron andthe casino operator. Consequently, gaming by the patron can continuesubstantially faster than the current, more labor intensive technique.

[0011] In one embodiment, the electronic form is a tax form such as aW-2G or Form 5754. Thus, the predetermined amount is set at $1,200 bythe federal government.

[0012] In another embodiment, an input device is coupled to the formgeneration device to enable the game user to provide or input personalidentification or profile data identifying the game user. In oneconfiguration, the input device includes a player tracking interfacedevice of a player tracking unit such as a card reader, a bonus button,a microphone, a sound projection device, a camera, a wireless interfacedevice, a proximity sensor, a key pad, a bar-code reader, anillumination device, a retina scan reader and a finger print reader.

[0013] Another embodiment includes a display for displaying theelectronic form. This display may be the same display upon which thegaming devices are displayed. Further, the input device may include atouch screen mounted over the display, and a logic device generating akey pad interface on the display and receiving input signals from thetouch screen corresponding to input buttons on the key pad interface.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the touch screen sensor is at leastone of a capacitive touch screen sensor, a resistive touch screen sensorand an acoustic wave touch screen sensor. The touch screen may beactivated using a finger or a stylus. The display used with the touchscreen may be at least one of a LED display, a LCD display, such as acolor LCD, a plasma display, a CRT or any other conventional displaytechnology. In one embodiment, the resolution of the display may be 320pixels by 240 pixels. However, the resolution of the display may behigher or lower than 320 by 240 pixels.

[0015] In other embodiments, the input buttons on the key pad interfacemay be selected from the group consisting of alphabetic symbols, numericsymbols and functional The input buttons on the key pad interface may beused to input player tracking identification information such as PINnumber or may be used to order a drink. The input buttons may berendered in 3-D, animated, shaded in color and combinations thereof. Thealphabetic symbols may be selected from one or more alphabets. Thefunctional symbols may be animated. Further, when one of the playertracking interface devices is a sound projection device and when theinput signals for at least one of the input buttons is received, a soundmay be emitted from a sound projection device.

[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of providingone or more game services on a gaming machine including providing agaming controller designed or configured to control the outcome of oneor more games played on the gaming machine; and automatically generatingan electronic form intended for a game user of the gaming machine whenthe game user receives a payout award from the game controller which isat least equivalent to a predetermined amount.

[0017] In one configuration, the method includes displaying theelectronic form on a display which may also display the outcome of thegame on the display. In yet another embodiment, the method includesproviding an input device coupled to the form generation device toenable the game user to provide or input personal identification orprofile data identifying the game user.

[0018] In still another arrangement, the method includes automaticallyinputting at least a portion of the personal identification or profiledata identifying the game user through the player tracking interfacedevice such as a player tracking card.

[0019] These and other features and advantages of the invention will bespelled out in more detail below with reference to the associateddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a player tracking system incorporatingthe form filing function designed in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a number of gaming machines withplayer tracking units connected to servers providing the electronic formfiling function of FIG. 1

[0022]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic screen shot of a W-2G Form shown on adisplay of the gaming machine in accordance with the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a video gaming machine of thepresent invention.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a game service interface display forone embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a two part touch screen display in aplayer tracking unit for one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for providing electronic formfiling services in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] While the present invention will be described with reference to afew specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of theinvention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Variousmodifications to the present invention can be made to the preferredembodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the truespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Itwill be noted here that for a better understanding, like components aredesignated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures.

[0028] Attention is now directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 where a gamingmachine, generally designated 20, is provided including a gamingcontroller 21 designed or configured to control the outcome of one ormore games played on the gaming machine. An electronic form generationdevice, generally designated 22, is also included coupled to the gamecontroller. The form generation device 22 is adapted to generate anelectronic form intended for a game user or patron of the gaming machinewhen the game user receives a payout award which is at least equivalentto a predetermined amount.

[0029] Accordingly, when federal law requires a patron to reportsignificant gaming machine winnings to the Internal Revenue Service(IRS) prior to payout, the gaming machine automatically generates,displays and presents an electronic form directly to the patron so thatthey can provide or verify their profile information. This formpresentation saves time and effort for both the gaming patron and thecasino operator. Consequently, gaming by the patron can continue gamingsubstantially faster than the current, more labor intensive technique ofmanual form completion.

[0030] For instance, should a game user be awarded a jackpot or the likeof $1,200 or more, which is currently the amount required by federal lawto report to the IRS, the gaming machine 20 will automatically displayan electronic form (e.g., a W-2G tax form 23 shown on display 25 in FIG.3. A lockout device 27, coupled to the master gaming controller 21, willlock out or prevent further gaming play operation on that gaming machine20 until the electronic form is completed by the patron. Preferably, thegaming patron will be required to either input and/or verify theirprofile information to complete the form. More preferably, as will bedescribed below, their profile information will be automaticallyretrieved from a player tracking card or from the central server 28.

[0031] Briefly, referring now to FIG. 4, a typical video gaming machineis illustrated including a main cabinet 30, which generally surroundsthe machine interior (not shown) and is viewable by users. The maincabinet includes a main door 31 on the front of the machine, which opensto provide access to the interior of the machine. Attached to the maindoor are player-input switches or buttons 32, a coin acceptor 33, and abill validator 35, a coin tray 36, and a belly glass 37. Viewablethrough the main door is a video display monitor 25 and an informationpanel 38. The display monitor 25 will typically be a cathode ray tube,high resolution flat-panel LCD, or other conventional electronicallycontrolled video monitor. The information panel 38 may be a back-lit,silk screened glass panel with lettering to indicate general gameinformation including, for example, the number of coins played. The billvalidator 35, player-input switches 32, video display monitor 25, andinformation panel are devices used to play a game on the game machine20. Typical of such games offered by these gaming machines includetraditional slot games, video slot games, video poker, video black jack,video keno, video pachinko, lottery games and other games of chance aswell as bonus games may be provided with gaming machines of thisinvention.

[0032] The described gaming machine 20 is but one example from a widerange of gaming machine designs on which the present invention may beimplemented. For example, some gaming machines have two or more gamedisplays—mechanical and/or video. Other gaming machines are designed forbar tables and have displays that face upwards. Still further, somemachines may be designed entirely for cashless systems. Such machinesmay not include such features as bill validators, coin acceptors andcoin trays. Instead, they may have only ticket readers, card readers andticket dispensers. As another example, a game may be generated in on ahost computer and may be displayed on a remote terminal or a remotecomputer. The remote computer may be connected to the host computer viaa network of some type such as the Internet. Those of skill in the artwill understand that the present invention, as described below, can bedeployed on most any gaming machine now available or hereafterdeveloped.

[0033] More recently, the gaming machines are networked, and includeintegrated player tracking systems. Referring back to FIG. 2, briefly, aplayer tracking system 40 integrating an embodiment of the presentinvention is described. However, the example is presented forillustrated purposes only as the present invention is not limited to thefollowing example. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a number of gamingmachines 20, 20 a, 20 b and 20 c with player tracking units connected toserver 28 providing player tracking services and servers providing othergaming services. In casino 41, by way of example, gaming machines 20, 20a, 20 b and 20 c are connected, via the data collection unit (DCU) 42 tothe player tracking/accounting server 28. The DCU 42, which may beconnected to up to thirty-two (32) player tracking units as part of alocal network in a particular example, consolidates the informationgathered from player tracking units in gaming machines 20, 20 a, 20 band 20 c and forwards the information to the player tracking accountserver 28. The player tracking account server is designed 1) to storeplayer tracking account information, such as information regarding aplayer's previous game play, and 2) to calculate player tracking pointsbased on a player's game play. The player tracking points may be used asbasis for providing rewards to the player

[0034] In gaming machine 20 of casino 41, a player tracking unit 43 andslot machine interface board (SMIB) 45 are mounted within a main cabinet30 of the gaming machine. A top box 46 is mounted on top of the maincabinet 30 of the gaming machine. In many types of gaming machines, theplayer tracking unit is mounted within the top box 46. The playertracking unit 43 may also be mounted on the side of a gaming machinesuch as on the side of main cabinet 30. Usually, player tracking units,such as 43, and SMIBs, such as 45, are manufactured as separate unitsbefore installation into a gaming machine, such as 20.

[0035] Typically, the player tracking unit 43 include at least twoperipheral devices, a card reader 47, and a screen display 25, allmounted within the unit. In some embodiments of the present invention,the peripheral devices within the player tracking unit are controlled bya processor located within the player tracking unit. In otherembodiments, one or more peripheral devices may be directly controlledby the master gaming controller 21. In yet other embodiments, theprocessor in the player tracking unit 43 may be used as a slavecontroller by the master gaming controller 21 to operate one or moreperipheral devices in the player tracking unit 43. Details of playertracking units with peripheral devices operated by a master gamingcontroller are described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/838,033, filed Apr. 19, 2001, by Criss-Puskiewicz, et al, titled“Universal Player Tracking System,” which is incorporated herein in itsentirety and for all purposes and co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/642,192, filed Aug. 18, 2000, by LeMay, et al, titled“Gaming Machine Virtual Player Tracking Services,” which is incorporatedherein in its entirety and for all purposes.

[0036] In one specific embodiment, the electronic form generation device22 may be resident in each individual gaming machine for access by thegame controller 21 (not shown). In another specific embodiment, when thegaming machines are connected through a central network such as with aplayer tracking system, the electronic form generation component ordevice 22 may be located in or communicably coupled to the playertracking/account server 28 for central access thereof. Thus, when formgeneration or completion is necessary, a connection, via the network,with the player tracking/account server 28 may be established tocommence input or verification of the proper profile information priorto payout and the resumption of gaming. In one example, the formgeneration device 22 provides an electronic version of a W-2G form 25for display on game display 25 (FIG. 3). An input device 48 (e.g., FIG.5) coupled to the form generation device 22 and the game controller 21enables the patron to input or verify their relevant profile information(e.g., name, address, social security number, etc.) to complete theelectronic W-2G form.

[0037] In accordance with the present invention, when a winning gamingpatron has been awarded a jackpot of $1,200 or more, as currentlyrequired by law, the lockout device 27 of the game controller 21 willprevent any further gaming play on that gaming machine until theelectronic form is completed or verified. The form generation device 22may then prompt the winning patron, on the main display 25, to commenceform completion. For example, the form generation device 22 may promptthe patron with a simple set queries such as “Please enter your fullname”.

[0038] As indicated-above, an input device 48 may be provided at thegaming machine which enables the winning patron to input their profileinformation or identification data to complete the W-2G form. Throughthis input interface, the patron can manually enter their profileinformation using any conventional technique. Such manual input devicesinclude conventional key pads, bar-code readers, card readers andwireless interface devices.

[0039] More particularly, in one embodiment, the input device 48 may beprovided by a push button key pad (not shown) provided on or near thegaming machine 20. This would enable the gaming patron to easily“key-in” the proper information as the queries for the information aredisplayed on the gaming display 25. While a fill letter key pad could beprovided, this may not be practical given the space limitations andcosts involved. More preferably, a twelve button key pad interface wouldbe provided similar to a telephone key pad which would includealpha-numerics on the button faces.

[0040] In another specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, amulti-purpose touch screen display 55 may be used as an input interfaceto enable the player to input the pertinent profile information whenrequired. As will be described in greater detail below, thismulti-purpose display may further provide player tracking services andother game services to a player operating a gaming machine. Morespecifically, the touch screen display 55 may be used as an interface bya player to: 1) input player profile information to complete the W-2Gform; 2) input player tracking identification information; 3) viewaccount information and perform account transactions for accounts suchas player tracking accounts and bank accounts; 4) receive operatinginstructions related to the player tracking unit and the gaming machine;5) redeem prizes or comps including using player tracking points toredeem the prize or comp; 6) make entertainment service reservations; 7)transfer credits to cashless instruments and other player accounts; 8)participate in casino promotions; 9) select entertainment choices foroutput via video and audio output mechanisms on the player tracking unitand the gaming machine; 10) play games and bonus games; 11) requestgaming services such as a drink orders; 12) communicate with otherplayers or casino service personnel; 13) play progressive games; and 14)register a player for a loyalty program such as a player tracking club.In addition, the touch screen display 55 may be used as an interface bycasino service personnel to: a) access diagnostic menus; b) displayplayer tracking unit status information and gaming machine statusinformation; c) access gaming machine metering information; and d)display player status information.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, in one particular embodiment, the playertracking system includes two display screens: a narrow display screen 50and a display screen 51 with a length to height ratio of about 4 to 3.Traditionally, display screens on player tracking units have used LED'sto display a single row of alphanumeric text such as a sixteen (16)character display resulting in a narrow display such as 50. A touchscreen may be used with an LED display screen to eliminate a key pad onthe player tracking unit. However, a color LCD display screen may bepreferred over an LED screen to allow for the display of symbols as wellas alphanumeric characters. For example, a color LCD display screen witha 3.5 inch diagonal and a resolution of 320 pixels by 240 pixels may beused with a touch screen as a touch screen display. In addition to LCD'sand LED's, a touch screen may be used with a plasma display screen, aCRT display as well as with other conventional display technology.

[0042] Briefly, three different types of touch screens are contemplated:a resistive based touch screen, a capacitive based touch screen, and asurface acoustic wave touch screen. These screens are better describedin U.S. Pending patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, byPaulsen et al., titled “GAME SERVICE INTERFACES FOR PLAYER TRACKINGTOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY” which is incorporated herein in its entirety andfor all purposes.

[0043]FIG. 5 best illustrates an exemplary component layout for a gameservice interface. For example, the buttons may be rendered with surfaceshading and textures to appear three-dimensional and may be animated.Hence, when a button is touched on the touch screen, it may appear tomove into the screen. Further, the symbols on the buttons may appear tobe animated in 2-D or 3-D. For instance, text on the buttons may appearto flash or move or characters and symbols on the buttons may appear tomove.

[0044] As mentioned above, another form of input device to input thepatron profile information may be provided by a player tracking system40 coupled to the machine, should the player be participating in theprogram. In this manner, the pertinent profile information can be storedon the player tracking card 52 (FIG. 4) issued to the player, and/orretrieved from the database 53 (FIG. 2) of the player tracking server 28when the identification of the winning patron is verified. Thus, in thisembodiment, the patron may only be required to verify that theinformation displayed on the screen to complete the electronic forms arecorrect.

[0045] By way of example, typically, when a game player wants to play agame on a gaming machine and utilize the player tracking servicesavailable through the player tracking unit, a game player inserts aplayer tracking card, such as a magnetic striped card, into the cardreader 47. After the magnetic striped card has been so inserted, theplayer tracking unit 43 may detect this event and receive certainidentification information contained on the card. For example, aplayer's name, address, social security number and player trackingaccount number encoded on the magnetic striped card, may be received bythe player tracking unit 43. In general, a player must provideidentification information of some type to utilize player trackingservices available on a gaming machine. For current player trackingprograms, the most common approach for providing identificationinformation is to issue a magnetic-striped card storing the necessaryidentification information to each player that wishes to participate ina given player tracking program.

[0046] After a player has inserted her or his player tracking card intothe card reader 47, the player tracking unit 43 may command the touchscreen display 55 to display the game player's name on the touch screendisplay 55 and also, may optionally display a message requesting thegame player to validate their identity by entering an identification PINcode using a game service interface with an alpha-numeric key paddisplayed on touch screen display 55 or through a player tracking inputkeypad. For example, the player may use their finger, a stylus orcombinations thereof to enter their identification information using thetouch screen sensor. Once the game player's identity has been validated,the player tracking information is relayed to the player tracking server28. Typically, the player tracking server 28 stores player trackingaccount records including the number of player tracking pointspreviously accumulated by the player.

[0047] Accordingly, when a registered player tracking patron hasreceived a jackpot sufficient to commence the electronic form generationdevice, the player profile information may be retrieved directly fromthe magnetic strip of the player's player tracking card.

[0048] In still another specific embodiment, the casino may provide aW-2G registration program where a patron may pre-register to use theelectronic from filing program. In this manner, a patron maypre-register at a Kiosk 54 or booth, or through an attendant.Accordingly, when a winning patron is participating in this function,and has properly identified themselves, the form generation device 22may retrieve the pertinent profile information or identification datafrom the central server 28 to commence completion of the form.

[0049] Alternatively, a loyalty program registration interface such asthat shown in FIG. 5 may be displayed on a touch screen peripheraldevice 55 in which a player that is not a member of a loyalty program,such as a W-2G electronic form filing program or a player trackingprogram, may use the input interface to join the program at the gamingmachine as part of a “point of play” registration. In one embodiment,the player may obtain a “blank” magnetic striped card or another type ofloyalty program instrument excepted by the card reader on the gamingmachine such as a smart card. Next at the gaming machine, the player mayrequest a “point of play” registration on the gaming machine from a menuof game services available on the gaming machine. A “point of play”registration on the gaming machine may be initiated before game playsession has begun on the gaming machine (e.g. the player registers andthen plays one or more games on the gaming machine), during a game playsession on the gaming machine (e.g. game play by the player occurs priorto the registration and after the registration), when the electronicform generation device has commenced, and at the end of a game playsession (e.g. the player registers but does not continue to play).

[0050] After the “point of play” registration has been initiated on thegaming machine, a logic device on the player tracking unit or the gamingmachine may instruct the player to insert the “blank” magnetic stripedcard into the card reader and display the loyalty program registrationinterface 56 on the touch screen display. Using a finger or stylus, aplayer may enter their name, address and other identificationinformation required for registration. Different combinations ofregistration information may be used and are not limited to a name andaddress. The required identification information may be entered usingthe numeric input buttons 57 and the alphabetic input buttons 57. Therequired information may be input in different languages and is notlimited to English or other Romance languages. Thus, the input buttons57 may be adapted for languages using alphabets other than a Romanalphabet.

[0051] In some embodiments, the touch screen display may be used withhand writing recognition software located on a logic device on theplayer tracking unit, player tracking server or the gaming machine toallow a player to write information on the display screen, such as theirname and address, as a means of inputting this information. The“written” information may be converted to text by the hand-writingrecognition software and stored electronically. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, a player name “JOE” 58 is written in a writing template area 60.The name may be recognized using hand-writing recognition software andconverted to text. The required registration information may be writtenin languages other than English and using an alphabet different than theRoman alphabet such as a Kanji alphabet which is used in Japan.

[0052] Moreover, the player may sign their name in the writing templatearea 60. The player's signature may be recorded and stored so that itmay be later used for identification purposes. For example, prior to theinitiation of a player tracking session or another game service, asignature recorded from the writing template area 60 may be comparedwith a stored signature using comparison software. When the signaturescompare, the player tracking session or other game service is allowed toproceed. When the signatures do not compare, the player tracking sessionor game service may be terminated or additional identificationinformation may be required from the player before the player trackingsession is allowed. Alphabetic input buttons and writing template areaswith hand writing recognition and feature recognition software are notlimited to the loyalty program registration interface 56 and may be usedwith any of the other game service interfaces of the present invention.

[0053] In addition to a signature, other biometric information may berecorded from the player as part of the registration process. Forinstance, a camera may be used to record a picture of player's face. Asanother example, a finger print reader may be used to record a player'sfinger print. A microphone may be used to record a player's voice. Inone embodiment, the biometric information may be used for auditingpurposes to identify that a player has actually registered. In anotherembodiment, the biometric information entered during the registrationprocess may be used to validate a player's identity to initiate aloyalty program session. For instance, a recorded player's finger printmay be used to validate the player's identity when they initiate aloyalty program session using a loyalty program instrument. Thebiometric input devices used in the registration process, such as acamera, finger print reader, a microphone may be located on a playertracking unit, a gaming machine, a casino Kiosk 54 or any other gamingdevice used to register a player. Other less conventional input devicesmay include sound projection devices, cameras, illumination devices, andretina scan readers.

[0054] After registration, the magnetic striped card, or other loyaltypoint instrument used in the registration process, may be used by theplayer to initiate a player tracking session on other gaming machines orparticipate in other loyalty program activities available to the playerthrough the loyal program using the magnetic striped card.

[0055] In yet another player profile information input example, thecasino service representative may enter the player's player tracking orW-2G registration information on touch screen display located on ahand-held wireless device carried by the casino service representativeand obtain card information from a card reader attached to the hand-helddevice. After entering the required information, a registration requestmessage may be sent through a wireless interface on the player trackingunit to the player tracking server through a wireless interface on thegaming machine to the player tracking server or directly to the playertracking server from the hand held-device. After receiving aregistration confirmation from the player tracking server, the playermay be presented with an activated player tracking card which may beused to initiate a player tracking session on the gaming machine. Anexample of hand-held wireless device that may be used to provide the“point of play” player tracking registration is described in co-pendingU.S. application Ser. No. 09/544,844, by Rowe, filed Apr. 7, 2000,tilted “Wireless Gaming Environment,” which is incorporated herein inits entirety and for all purposes.

[0056] In accordance with the present invention, once the proper profileor identification information is input or verified through theabove-indicated techniques, and the electronic form is determined to becompleted, the form generation device 22, operably coupled to thenetworked gaming machines 20-20 c, can electronically file the W-2G formwith the IRS. Hence, a paperless transaction has occurred which issubstantially more efficient than the current manual techniques. Areceipt 61 or printout of the W-2G form, of course, may be provided todocument the electronic filing from the printer at each gaming machine(e.g., an EZ Pay Ticket printer 62 (FIG. 2)), from the printer at acentral Kiosk, by hand delivery to the winning patron by the Casinopersonnel, etc.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow chart is illustrated of oneexemplary method for providing gaming services on a touch screen displayof the present invention. After the start at 100, a gaming patron mayregister with a Casino to use the electronic tax form filing function at102. By way of example, such registration may be performed through aninput device, mentioned above, located at a designated Kiosk, booth orgaming machine. Such registration may further be performed at through acasino attendant.

[0058] When a player wins $1,200 or more at a gaming machine at 104, thelockout device 27 locks out further gaming play from that machine. At106, the game controller 21 of the gaming machine 20 establishes aconnection with the casino network. Once the connection is made, thePlayer Tracking/Accounting Server 28 retrieves the player profile oridentification data from the database. The Server than queries whetherthe player is registered for the W-2G electronic form filing function at108. If the winning patron is not registered, then either the programends at 110 or offers the patron to register at the “point-of-play” (notshown).

[0059] If the winning patron is registered, then the PlayerTracking/Accounting Server 28 will transmit the W-2G and the profileinformation to the gaming machine 20 for display thereof on the maindisplay 25 at 112. The player profile or identification data ispre-filled on the electronic form shown on the display.

[0060] At 114, the winning player or a casino operator may then enteridentification information, via a touch screen display, to properlyidentify the patron. For instance, a PIN number may be entered via a keypad displayed on the touch screen display, a player may “sign-in” byproviding a signature via the touch screen display or combinationsthereof. Other positive identification procedures, as above-mentioned,include a retinal scan, a fingerprint read, video image capture, etc.

[0061] Should the positive identification procedure at 114 be satisfied,the patron may be prompted to input any changes or to verify that thepre-filled information is correct at 116. If the winning patron does notaccept the information, the electronic filing function ends at 118;otherwise, the player is prompted whether to print-out the W-2G as areceipt, at 120.

[0062] In the event that the winning patron elects not to print theelectronic forms, the transaction information is transmitted back to thePlayer Tracking/Accounting Server 28 for storage in the database 53, at122, and then the filing function ends at 124. The patron will then bepermitted to selectively print the forms at a later time.

[0063] If the winning patron elects to print-out the W-2G, at 120, theplayer is prompted whether to print-out the win amount on an EZ PayTicket as a receipt, at 126.

[0064] Should the winning patron elect not to print the win amount, thetransaction information is transmitted back to the PlayerTracking/Accounting Server 28 for storage in the database 53, at 128, inthe player's account. This credit can then be used as a later time. Theform filing function then ends at 130.

[0065] If the winning patron elects to print-out the win amount on an EZPay Ticket, then the player could cash-in ticket for currency. The formfiling function then ends at 132.

[0066] Although the foregoing invention has been described in somedetail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparentthat certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scopeof the appended claims. For instance, while the gaming machines of thisinvention have been depicted as upright models having top box mounted ontop of the main gaming machine cabinet, the use of gaming devices inaccordance with this invention is not so limited. For example, gamingmachine may be provided without a top box or the gaming machine may beof a slant-top or table top design.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gaming machine comprising: a gaming controllerdesigned or configured to control the outcome of one or more gamesplayed on the gaming machine; and an electronic form generation devicecoupled to said game controller, and adapted to generate an electronicform intended for a game user of the gaming machine when the game userreceives a payout award which is at least equivalent to a predeterminedamount.
 2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the electronic form isa tax form.
 3. The gaming machine of claim 2, wherein said tax form is aW2G tax form.
 4. The gaming machine of claim 2, wherein thepredetermined amount is equivalent to an amount set by a governmententity which requires reporting.
 5. The gaming machine of claim 1,further including: an input device coupled to the form generation devicewhich enables the game user to provide or input personal identificationor profile data identifying the game user.
 6. The gaming machine ofclaim 5, wherein the input device includes a player tracking interfacedevice for a player tracking unit.
 7. The gaming machine of claim 6,wherein the player tracking interface device is one or more of thefollowing: a card reader, a bonus button, a microphone, a soundprojection device, a camera, a wireless interface device, a proximitysensor, a key pad, a touch pad, a bar-code reader, an illuminationdevice, a retina scan reader and a finger print reader.
 8. The gamingmachine of claim 6, wherein the player tracking interface deviceincludes a card reader and a player tracking card providing at least aportion of the personal identification or profile data identifying thegame user to be inserted in the electronic form.
 9. The gaming machineof claim 5, wherein the input device is a portable wireless device. 10.The gaming machine of claim 9, wherein the portable wireless device is apersonal digital assistant.
 11. The gaming machine of claim 1, furtherincluding: a display for displaying the electronic form.
 12. The gamingmachine of claim 11, further including: an input device coupled to theform generation device which enables the game user to provide or inputpersonal identification data identifying the game user for insertioninto the electronic form.
 13. The gaming machine of claim 12, whereinthe input device includes a touch screen mounted over the display, and alogic device generating a key pad interface on the display and receivinginput signals from the touch screen corresponding to input buttons onthe key pad interface.
 14. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein thetouch screen further includes: a touch screen sensor; a touch screenassembly enclosing the touch screen sensor; and a touch screencontroller integrated into said touch screen assembly.
 15. The gamingmachine of claim 11, wherein the display is further coupled to the gamecontroller for displaying the outcome of the game.
 16. The gamingmachine of claim 15, wherein the display is at least one of a LEDdisplay, a LCD display, a plasma display and a CRT.
 17. A method ofproviding one or more game services on a gaming machine comprising:providing a gaming controller designed or configured to control theoutcome of one or more games played on the gaming machine; andautomatically generating an electronic form intended for a game user ofthe gaming machine when the game user receives a payout award from thegame controller which is at least equivalent to a predetermined amount.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: displaying theelectronic form on a display.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: displaying the outcome of the game on the display.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the electronic form is a tax form.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, wherein said tax form is a W2G tax form.
 22. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising: providing an input devicecoupled to the form generation device which enables the game user toprovide or input personal identification or profile data identifying thegame user.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the input device includesa player tracking interface device for a player tracking unit.
 24. Themethod of claim 23, wherein the player tracking interface device is oneor more of the following: a card reader, a bonus button, a microphone, asound projection device, a camera, a wireless interface device, aproximity sensor, a key pad, a touch pad, a bar-code reader, anillumination device, a retina scan reader and a finger print reader. 25.The method of claim 22, further comprising: automatically inputting atleast a portion of the personal identification or profile dataidentifying the game user through the player tracking interface device.26. The method of claim 25, wherein the player tracking interface deviceis one or more of the following: a card reader, a bonus button, amicrophone, a sound projection device, a camera, a wireless interfacedevice, a proximity sensor, a key pad, a touch pad, a bar-code reader,an illumination device, a retina scan reader and a finger print reader.27. The method of claim 25, further comprising: providing the at least aportion of the personal identification or profile data identifying thegame user is provided on a player tracking card.
 28. The method of claim18, further comprising: inputting at least a portion of the personalidentification or profile data identifying the game user through a touchscreen mounted over the display.
 29. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: displaying a key pad interface with a plurality of inputbuttons to the touch screen on the display.
 30. The method of claim 29,wherein the input buttons are selected from the group consisting ofalphabetic symbols, numeric symbols and functional symbols.
 31. Themethod of claim 23, further comprising: validating an identity of thegame user of the player tracking unit.
 32. The method of claim 17,further comprising: displaying a hand-writing interface to the touchscreen display.
 33. The method of claim 17, further comprising:providing a receipt.